Afghanistan: Mine-clearance Equipment

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any goods subject to strategic export controls have recently been approved for export to Afghanistan.

Baroness Amos: The Department for Trade and Industry recently issued an export licence for mine-clearance equipment for use by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA) to assist their demining activities in Afghanistan. The goods are rated as Military Listed. UNSCR 1333 (2000), which imposes inter alia an arms embargo on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, provides scope for the UN Sanctions Committee to approve of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use to Taliban-controlled territory. The Sanctions Committee has given its approval in this case.
	The granting of this export licence is fully consistent with the UN Security Council resolutions and does not affect the Government's continued support for the EU common position on arms exports to Afghanistan.

Ethiopia and Eritrea: Arms Embargoes

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there have been any recent changes to the UN and EU arms embargoes against Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Baroness Amos: The arms embargo and ban on related technical assistance and training imposed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1298 (2000) against Ethiopia and Eritrea expired on 16 May 2001. The EU arms embargo imposed against Ethiopia and Eritrea by Common Position 99/206/CFSP expired on 31 May 2001. Her Majesty's Government was content to support the expiry of both the UN and EU embargoes in recognition of the progress made by both parties in the implementation of the Algiers Peace Agreements, including the establishment of the Temporary Security Zone.
	From 1 June 2001, the Government will consider all applications for a licence to export goods and technology on the Military List on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria which the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced on 26th October 2000 (HC 199-203W). It remains our policy only to sell arms which will not be used for external aggression or internal oppression.

Scotland: Parliamentary Constituencies

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Boundary Commission for Scotland has decided when to start a general review of constituencies in Scotland.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 requires the Boundary Commission for Scotland to submit its next general report between December 2002 and December 2006 and within these limits the commission has discretion when to start a general review. The commission, in the exercise of its discretion, will give notice in the Edinburgh Gazette tomorrow, 29 June 2001, of its intention to commence forthwith a general review of constituencies in Scotland.

Broiler Fowl Welfare

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to improve the welfare of broiler fowls following the report of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare of March 2000.

Lord Whitty: The report of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare is the first step in enabling the EU Commission to bring forward proposals for broiler welfare standards across Europe; the UK is pressing the Commission to do so at the earliest opportunity.

Environment Council, 7 June

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 7 June.

Lord Whitty: I am writing to report the outcome of the Environment Council in Luxembourg on 7 June. As Council fell on the same day as the General Election, there were no Environment Ministers available to attend, and the UK was represented by Bill Stow, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU. Council reached a political agreement on six common positions, two of which allowed agreement to be reached with the European Parliament at first reading. The UK abstained on the vote on a proposed Directive on low-temperature emissions from motor vehicles, and voted in favour of the other common positions. Council also adopted five sets of conclusions.
	Political agreement was reached on a Decision of the Commission and European Parliament on the Sixth Environment Action Programme. This will set out the EU's environmental priorities for the next ten years, focusing on climate change, nature and biodiversity, environment and health, and sustainable management of natural resources and waste. The UK achieved its objectives of a commitment to improve the policy process, a clearer priority for climate change action, and a commitment to further analysis before the development and adoption of detailed targets. Political agreement was also reached on a proposal to amend Directive 90/313, giving the public enhanced rights of access to environmental information in line with the more demanding requirements of the Aarhus Convention.
	In reaching Political Agreement on a Directive seeking to reduce the quantity of waste from electrical and electronic equipment and increase recycling, the UK achieved its objectives. The Directive delivers environmental benefits, and is in line with the Government's objectives on waste, and Council has avoided changes which would have made it more inflexible and less workable. In particular the UK secured additional flexibility for small manufacturers and on the arrangements for retailer takeback. Member states agreed that collection systems will have to be set up within 30 months of the Directive coming into force, with distributors having to take back used equipment free of charge on a like for like basis either in-store or through third parties. Producers were made responsible for reaching recovery and recycling targets within 46 months. A target of recycling 4kg waste per person per year by 36 months following entry into force of the Directive was also agreed. Agreement was also reached on a related Directive restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, protecting the environment from potential damage arising from the disposal of this equipment, and facilitating recycling. The Council agreed a date of 2007 for the phasing out of specific hazardous substances, including lead and mercury.
	Council was able to approve all of the European Parliament's amendments on a Decision establishing a list of priority substances under the Water Framework Directive, allowing it to be adopted at first reading. The list contains 33 Priority Substances, 11 of which are classified as Priority Hazardous Substances. The Commission will be responsible for bringing forward proposals for measures aimed at the progressive reduction and, for Priority Hazardous Substances, at the cessation or phasing-out of emissions, discharges and losses. A first reading agreement was also reached on a Directive regulating emissions from motor vehicles starting in cold conditions. The UK abstained on the basis that the costs of implementing the proposal were disproportionate to the limited environmental benefits it would bring about, and recorded its position in a statement for the Council minutes.
	Council conclusions on climate change reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and its willingness to negotiate constructively at the resumed COP6 in July. Ministers reiterated the target of ratification and entry into force of Kyoto by 2002. The Council also held an informal discussion on climate change over dinner.
	In response to the Commission's White Paper on EU chemicals policy, Council conclusions were agreed. Ministers offered broad support for the proposal that existing and new substances would in future be subject to the same authorisation process ("REACH" - Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals) whilst stressing the need for realistic deadlines. The conclusions recommend an objective of phasing out uses of chemicals that lead to a significant negative impact on the environment by 2020, while maintaining the competitiveness of the chemicals industry. The Conclusions also call for a minimum of animal testing and increased public access to information about chemicals. Separately, in response to a suggestion by the Netherlands, Council agreed conclusions calling on the Commission to clarify the legal situation and possible consequences of the phase-out of mercury in the chlor-alkali industry, and to report back to Council.
	In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) in Johannesburg in 2002, Council conclusions were agreed setting out a broad EU approach with suggestions for themes for consideration at the summit. These include protection of natural resources, integrating environment and poverty eradication and making globalisation work for sustainable development. Council also agreed conclusions on a strategy for an integrated product policy, the overall aim of which is to reduce the environmental impact of products across their whole lifecycle.
	The Commission briefly updated Council on work on a number of forthcoming proposals, including its planned proposals on the labelling and traceability of GMOs, emphasising the difficult technical and legal implications of the proposals, which are still under consideration within the Commission. Commissioner Wallstrom also reported on developments in environmental relations with Russia.
	The Presidency informed Council it would consider what progress could be made on the Directives on Public Participation in Environmental Decision-Making, Recreational Craft, Non Road Mobile Machinery and the Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, before Belgium took over the EU Presidency in July.
	Over lunch Council discussed the Commission's Communication on an EU Sustainable Development Strategy, and a Presidency report on the integration of environmental considerations into other policy areas, in preparation for the Gothenburg European Council on 15-16 June.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Regulations

Lord Davies of Coity: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they plan to issue regulations to amend the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, in the light of the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and when they intend to issue regulations for any appeals which may arise on Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Lord Whitty: We have issued two consultation papers, firstly, about amendments to the Habitats Regulations and, secondly, proposing new appeals regulations, following commencement of Part III of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. In what is largely a technical amendment, the 1994 Habitats Regulations are to be brought in line with the provisions of the Act for protection of SSSIs. Ministers also promised the House that they would prepare regulations for the appeals that may arise on SSSIs (against refusal of consent, management notices and stop notices). These will set out a clear procedure for the conduct of appeals, so that they may be processed efficiently.
	The consultation period for both documents ends on 23 August 2001. Copies will be placed in the House Libraries.

Water Abstraction Charges

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What decisions have been reached about the possible use of economic instruments in relation to water abstraction.

Lord Whitty: The department is publishing tomorrow a paper entitled Tuning Water Taking. This sets out government decisions following consultation last year on the use of economic instruments in relation to water abstraction in England and Wales. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The paper confirms that water abstraction charges will remain limited to recovery of the Environment Agency's water resources management costs. The agency is expected to consult by June 2002 on changes to the current charging scheme within this overall cost ceiling. The paper goes on to say that voluntary abstraction licence trading will be made easier by a variety of means, within the Environment Agency's existing powers, whilst ensuring that trading does not harm the water environment.

Food Standards Agency: Expenditure Limits

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any proposals to amend the Food Standards Agency Departmental Expenditure Limit/Administration Costs Limit for 2001-02.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the overall resource Departmental Expenditure Limit for 2001-02 will be increased by £7,803,000 (of which £363,000 is administrations costs) from £103,440,000 to £111,243,000.
	The increase is the net effect of transfers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) of £7,308,000, to cover the estimated fall in Meat Hygiene Service income resulting from the revised charging methodology recommended in the Maclean report, and transfers of £363,000 administration costs and £132,000 programme costs from MAFF to reflect the cost of additional responsibilities transferred to the FSA. The accruals to cash adjustment figures have also been increased by £11,000 to bring them in line with the SR2000 settlement.
	As a result of these changes, the gross administration cost limit for the FSA has increased by £363,000 from £41,237,000 to £41,600,000. With the exception of the increase of £11,000 in the cash to accruals adjustment, which will bring the figures into line with those agreed in SR2000, all increases will be offset by transfers from the MAFF Departmental Expenditure Limit (detailed above) and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Health Council, 5 June

Baroness Turner of Camden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the meeting of the Health Council which took place on 5 June.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Susan Deacon MSP, Minister for Health and Community Care in Scotland, represented the UK.
	Council reached political agreement to adopt unanimously a common position on the six-year framework programme on public health, which will replace the existing eight individual programmes. A compromise was reached over the budget level at 280 meuros, which will be the basis of negotiation with the European Parliament, whose previous position has been for a higher figure. On the mechanism for co-ordinating health monitoring and rapid reaction to health threats, Council agreed to the use of the term "structural arrangements" instead of "structure" as the Commission had still to put forward their proposals on this point. Agreement was also reached on including rare diseases within the scope of the programme.
	Council agreed the Recommendation on drinking of alcohol by young people. The Recommendation proposes education and information and self-regulation of promotion, marketing and retailing to reduce alcohol abuse by children and adolescents. Council adopted Conclusions inviting the Commission to put forward proposals for a Community strategy on alcohol which would complement national policies. The majority of member states highlighted the need for Community action on gathering and disseminating data and information. The UK warned of the need to focus on alcohol-related harm rather than consumption per se and that any action should be proportionate and respect subsidiarity principles.
	Commissioner Byrne presented revised proposals for a tobacco advertising Directive which would ban tobacco advertising in the press, publications, radio, Internet and sponsorship (including free distribution) with a cross-border element. He stressed the compatibility of these proposals with the ECJ judgement striking down the previous tobacco advertising Directive.
	The Commission gave an oral update on the epidemiological situation of vCJD and developments in research, surveillance and information exchange at Community level. The UK provided information on progress with developing support for CJD patients, measures to protect against person to person transmission (e.g. single-use instruments for tonsil surgery) and tenders for research into diagnostic tests for vCJD and BSE. Council adopted Conclusions, which call on member states to build on existing work on surveillance and prevention for all TSEs as they affect human health.
	A series of information items reports were received on health in other policies and the health dimension of the Northern Dimension Action Plan. There were calls for a second Health Council in each Presidency and information provided on a hospital partnership approach to the treatment of HIV/AIDS victims.

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the private-public partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

Lord Bach: I refer my noble friend to the announcement made by the Secretary of State for Defence in another place on 24 July 2000 (Official Report, columns 778-779), about our decision to implement the Core Competence model for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) public-private partnership. Under Core Competence, around three-quarters of the current DERA organisation will be turned into a company with the registered name of QinetiQ plc. For strategic reasons, the remainder, known as the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), will be retained within Ministry of Defence to carry out functions that could not appropriately be transferred to the private sector.
	Since the announcement in July work has focused on achieving the legal separation of DERA into the two entities: QinetiQ and Dstl. This work has included the enactment of secondary legislation as outlined in Statutory Instrument 1246/2001 (made on 28 March 2001). This instrument will result in DERA being renamed Dstl and net assets attributable to QinetiQ being removed from the Trading Fund and transferred to the new company.
	Subject to final legal drafting and contractual negotiations, we intend to vest QinetiQ plc with its assets and liabilities with effect from 1 July 2001. At that point, QinetiQ will remain a wholly government-owned plc. Thereafter, work will continue on preparation for its eventual sale.

Standford Hill Prison: Board of Visitors

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have yet made any decisions on the findings of the report by Mr Stephen Shaw on the Triennial Review of the Board of Visitors at HM Prison Standford Hill in December 1999.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the former Minister for Prisons and Probation wrote to the two former members of that Board of Visitors (BOV) who were not reappointed at the end of 1999 to explain that, following the report by the Prisons Ombudsman, he had asked that the disciplinary procedures against them should be continued. Those procedures have now been completed and the Disciplinary Panel hearing the complaints decided that, in view of the criticisms made about the Disciplinary Code and the investigation undertaken, it would be unreasonable to reach conclusions on the cases. Following those decisions, work is now under way on recommendations to be made to my right honourable friend the Minister for Community and Custodial Provision on whether or not the former members should be offered reappointments to the BOV.

Immigration Detainees: Prison Places

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many places have been offered by HM Prison Service, the Scottish Prison Service and the Northern Ireland Prison Service to the Immigration and Nationality Department for accommodating Immigration Act detainees and for what period; and how many detainees were detained in HM Prisons in each jurisdiction at the latest convenient date.

Lord Rooker: Apart from the dedicated Prison Service immigration detention facilities at Haslar, Rochester and Lindholme, the Immigration Service is currently using approximately 430 out of 500 prison places in England and Wales made available by the Prison Service on a temporary basis.
	As at 31 May, there were 1,144 immigration detainees held in Prison Service establishments in the United Kingdom; of which 428 were held in the dedicated detention facilities at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester, 16 were held in Northern Ireland, and 47 in Scotland. These figures will include some individuals detained under dual Immigration Act and other powers.

Asylum Seekers: Hotel Accommodation

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What reports they have received about the suitability of the Thorncliffe Hotel, Heston, Middlesex, for the accommodation of asylum seekers; and how much it has cost, to the latest convenient date so far, to house in that hotel the passengers from the Ariana Airlines hijack plane which arrived at Stansted on 11 February 2000.

Lord Rooker: The Refugee Arrivals Project, a voluntary sector body, is grant funded by the Home Office to provide accommodation for asylum seekers arriving at the three main London airports--Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Under the terms of their grant agreement, they are required to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that accommodation used conforms to all the relevant environmental health and health and safety legislation and regulations, meets current fire regulations and provides a safe environment for asylum seekers. From time to time, issues about the adequacy of the accommodation have been raised with the Home Office, but I am satisfied that conditions are acceptable.
	It is not possible to identify the precise costs of housing passengers from the Ariana Airlines hijack plane in the Thorncliffe Hotel. Some of the passengers are housed in other property and part of the costs would have been incurred in any event under the terms of the agreement between the Refugee Arrivals Project and the Thorncliffe Hotel. The total accommodation costs for the passengers as at 31 March was £416,087.

Northern Ireland: Asylum Seeker Detention Arrangements

Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the current arrangements in Northern Ireland for those detained while seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are satisfactory; and
	What plans they have to establish a specialised facility in Northern Ireland for the detention of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom; and
	Whether they are prepared to review the situation in prisons in Northern Ireland for the detention of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom; and
	How many of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom are at present detained in prisons in Northern Ieland; and
	What is the average detention period for those held in prisons in Northern Ireland awaiting decisions on applications for asylum in the United Kingdom.

Lord Rooker: The Government accept that the current arrangements for detention under Immigration Act powers in Northern Ireland are not ideal. We have been reviewing those arrangements and, whilst there are at present no plans to establish a dedicated immigration detention facility in Northern Ireland, we are considering a number of options, including transfer to a detention centre on the United Kingdom mainland and using the current prison accommodation in Northern Ireland more effectively. No final decisions have been reached.
	As at 31 May, 16 people were detained under Immigration Act powers at Her Majesty's Prison Magilligan and Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry in Northern Ireland. No information is held centrally about the average length of detention for those immigration detainees held in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Asylum Seeker Detention Arrangements

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons are now detained in prison in Northern Ireland under the Immigration Acts; what have been the maximum and minimum numbers of detainees at any time since the current Act came into operation; and what has been the average and the maximum length of individual detention during that period.

Lord Rooker: As at 31 May, 16 people were detained in Northern Ireland under Immigration Act powers. Information about average and maximum length of detention and maximum and minimum numbers of detainees is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Police Numbers

Baroness Massey of Darwen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many police officers and civilian staff there are in total and in each police force in England and Wales on the latest date for which figures are available.

Lord Rooker: The attached tables show, for March 1997, March 2000, September 2000 and March 2001, total numbers of police officers and civilians for each police authority area in England and Wales, together with changes in numbers since March 1997 and March 2000.
	On 31 March 2001, total police numbers, including secondments, in England and Wales were 125,519, an increase of 1,349, or 1.1 per cent, compared with the end of March 2000. This is the largest annual increase in police numbers since 1988-89.
	Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001, the number of civilian support staff increased by 1,361, or 2.6 per cent, to 54,588.
	In total, there were 180,107 police officers and civilian support staff, compared with 180,169 in March 1997.
	The substantial investment we are putting into the police services is delivering the improvements that we promised. The increase in police numbers since March 2000 is a direct result of the extra funding available to forces via the Crime Fighting Fund since April 2000.
	
		Police Strength
		
			 GOR Police force Strength  31.3.97 fte Strength 31.3.00 fte Strength 30.9.00 fte Strength 31.3.01 fte Change Mar 97-Mar 01 number fte Change Mar 00-Mar 01 number fte 
			 North East  6,597 6,749 6,820 6,859 262 110 
			  Cleveland 1,459 1,404 1,421 1,407 -52 3 
			  Durham 1,461 1,558 1,581 1,595 135 37 
			  Northumbria 3,677 3,788 3,816 3,857 180 69 
			  
			 North West  17,588 17,153 17,110 17,295 -293 142 
			  Cheshire 2,046 2,011 2,000 2,002 -44 -9 
			  Cumbria 1,144 1,084 1,048 1,048 -96 -36 
			  Gtr Manchester 6,922 6,795 6,767 6,909 -13 115 
			  Lancashire 3,247 3,179 3,215 3,255 8 76 
			  Merseyside 4,230 4,085 4,081 4,081 -149 -4 
			  
			 Yorkshire and the Humber  11,750 11,200 11,189 11,234 -516 34 
			  Humberside 2,045 1,932 1,905 1,917 -128 -15 
			  North Yorkshire 1,338 1,283 1,293 1,305 -33 22 
			  South Yorkshire 3,159 3,163 3,184 3,197 38 34 
			  West Yorkshire 5,209 4,822 4,806 4,815 -394 -7 
			  
			 East Midlands  8,436 8,206 8,350 8,427 -9 221 
			  Derbyshire 1,791 1,777 1,780 1,823 32 46 
			  Leicestershire 1,949 1,993 2,010 2,033 84 40 
			  Lincolnshire 1,196 1,115 1,162 1,202 6 87 
			  Northamptonshire 1,177 1,117 1,166 1,157 -20 40 
			  Nottinghamshire 2,323 2,204 2,232 2,212 -111 8 
			  
			 West Midlands  12,290 12,151 12,324 12,429 139 279 
			  Staffordshire 2,211 2,170 2,157 2,129 -82 -41 
			  Warwickshire 926 900 912 926 0 26 
			  West Mercia 2,040 1,887 1,906 1,951 -89 64 
			  West Midlands 7,113 7,194 7,350 7,423 310 229 
			  
			 Eastern  9,727 9,364 9,515 9,694 -33 330 
			  Bedfordshire 1,094 1,028 1,006 1,036 -58 8 
			  Cambridgeshire 1,302 1,237 1,266 1,296 -6 59 
			  Essex (1) 2,961 2,806 2,780 2,887 -74 81 
			  Hertfordshire (1) 1,759 1,767 1,961 1,922 163 155 
			  Norfolk 1,432 1,381 1,387 1,420 -12 39 
			  Suffolk 1,180 1,145 1,115 1,133 -47 -12 
			  
			 London  27,536 26,216 25,415 25,581 -1,955 -635 
			  City of London 859 732 720 703 -156 -29 
			  Metropolitan Police (1) 26,677 25,485 24,695 24,878 -1,799 -507 
			  
			 South East  15,111 14,971 15,347 15,378 267 407 
			  Hampshire 3,452 3,419 3,435 3,435 -17 16 
			  Kent 3,260 3,204 3,239 3,319 59 115 
			  Surrey (1) 1,620 1,785 2,113 2,066 446 281 
			  Sussex 3,085 2,822 2,812 2,855 -230 33 
			  Thames Valley 3,695 3,740 3,748 3,703 8 -37 
			  
			 South West  9,424 9,313 9.354 9,541 117 228 
			  Avon & Somerset 2,989 2,934 2,941 2,960 -29 26 
			  Devon & Cornwall 2,865 2,841 2,873 2,934 70 93 
			  Dorset 1,284 1,306 1,299 1,354 70 48 
			  Gloucestershire 1,133 1,114 1,142 1,173 40 59 
			  Wiltshire 1,154 1,118 1,099 1,120 -34 2 
			 Wales  6,592 6,632 6,738 6,873 281 341 
			  Dyfed Powys 1,005 1,040 1,045 1,055 51 15 
			  Gwent 1,243 1,264 1,271 1,274 31 10 
			  North Wales 1,369 1,403 1,393 1,444 75 41 
			  South Wales 2,976 2,926 3,029 3,100 124 174 
			 England & Wales (exc secondments) 125,051 121,956 122,163 123,313 -1,738 1,357 
			 Total secondments   2,107 2,214 2,384 2,206 99 -8 
			   
			 Total (incl secondments) 127,158 124,170 124,547 125,519 -1,621 1,349 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. As of April 2000, the Metropolitan Police force was reduced in size by a transfer of responsibility for policing some ares to the surrounding forces of Surrey, Hertfordshire and Essex. These changes need to be borne in mind when comparing figures for these forces before and after April 2000.
	2. Because of rounding, constituent parts may not necessarily sum to the totals.
	
		Civilian Staff (excluding traffic wardens)
		
			 GOR Police force Strength 31.3.97 fte Strength 31.3.00 fte Strength 30.9.00 fte Strength  31.3.01 fte Change Mar 97-Mar 01 number fte Change Mar 00-Mar 01 number fte 
			 North East  2,557 2,603 2,583 2,568 11 -35 
			  Cleveland 609 595 598 586 -23 -9 
			  Durham 583 590 573 566 -17 -24 
			  Northumbria 1,365 1,417 1,413 1,416 51 -1 
			  
			 North West  6,267 6,994 7,007 7,066 799 72 
			  Cheshire 735 823 870 833 98 10 
			  Cumbria 451 469 505 588 137 119 
			  Gtr Manchester 2,612 2,822 2,845 2,858 246 36 
			  Lancashire 1,126 1,422 1,351 1,369 243 -53 
			  Merseyside 1,343 1,458 1,437 1,418 75 -40 
			  
			 Yorkshire and the Humber  4,762 4,922 4,923 4,939 177 17 
			  Humberside 718 840 783 808 90 -32 
			  North Yorkshire 519 492 533 591 72 99 
			  South Yorkshire 1,291 1,391 1,399 1,312 22 -79 
			  West Yorkshire 2,234 2,199 2,208 2,228 -6 29 
			  
			 East Midlands  3,555 3,769 4,039 3,975 420 206 
			  Derbyshire 723 826 865 875 152 49 
			  Leicestershire 755 805 808 806 51 2 
			  Lincolnshire 521 516 554 561 40 45 
			  Northamptonshire 554 599 648 694 141 95 
			  Nottinghamshire 1,003 1,024 987 1,039 36 15 
			  
			 West Midlands  4,819 4,991 5,132 5,261 442 270 
			  Staffordshire 763 858 897 935 173 77 
			  Warwickshire 376 394 388 412 36 18 
			  West Mercia 942 1,043 1,026 1,095 153 52 
			  West Midlands 2,739 2,695 2,821 2,819 81 124 
			  
			 Eastern  4,234 4,485 4,699 4,802 568 317 
			  Bedfordshire 484 490 488 491 7 1 
			  Cambridgeshire 607 503 543 614 7 111 
			  Essex (1) 1,199 1,348 1,472 1,447 248 99 
			  Hertfordshire (1) 818 890 948 935 117 45 
			  Norfolk 603 655 651 694 91 39 
			  Suffolk 522 600 592 621 99 21 
			  
			 London  13,840 10,890 10,382 10,273 -3,567 -617 
			  City of London 347 285 235 233 -114 -52 
			  Metropolitan Police (1) 13,493 10,605 10,147 10,040 -3,453 -565 
			  
			  South East 6,399 6,966 7,292 7,520 1,121 554 
			  Hampshire 1,316 1,443 1,467 1,482 166 39 
			  Kent 1,384 1,647 1,670 1,796 412 149 
			  Surrey (1) 727 762 865 897 170 135 
			  Sussex 1,149 1,328 1,405 1,454 305 127 
			  Thames Valley 1,825 1,786 1,890 1,891 66 105 
			 South West  4,122 4,512 4,581 4,715 593 203 
			  Avon & Somerset 1,438 1,436 1,437 1,452 14 16 
			  Devon & Cornwall 1,159 1,343 1,391 1,453 294 110 
			  Dorset 615 686 681 682 67 -4 
			  Gloucestershire 435 484 498 506 71 22 
			  Wiltshire 475 563 574 622 147 59 
			  
			 Wales  2,455 2,457 2,686 2,706 251 249 
			  Dyfed Powys 322 359 393 401 79 42 
			  Gwent 452 498 490 537 85 39 
			  North Wales 476 519 511 498 23 -21 
			  South Wales 1,206 1,081 1,293 1,270 65 189 
			 England and Wales (exc secondments) (2) 53,011 52,588 53,147 53,823 812 1,235 
			 Total secondments n/a 639 708 765 n/a 126 
			   
			 Total (incl secondments) (2) 53,011 53,227 53,856 54,588 1,577 1,361 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. As of April 2000, the Metropolitan Police force was reduced in size by a transfer of responsibility for policing some areas to the surrounding forces of Surrey, Hertfordshire and Essex. These changes need to be borne in mind when comparing figures for these forces before and after April 2000.
	2. In the March 1997 figures, civilian secondments are counted within the figures for the forces from which they were seconded. The increased use of 1,577 civilians between March 1997 and March 2001 takes account of this.
	3. Because of rounding, constituent parts may not necessarily sum to the totals.

Television: Local and Regional Programming

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in order to maintain and strengthen the cultural diversity of the regions of the United Kingdom, the number of weekly hours of local programmes transmitted yearly should be more than is currently being broadcast by the 17 television licensee companies.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government have set out in their White Paper, A New Future for Communications, their proposals to retain and to strengthen the regional dimension to public service broadcasting to ensure that it meets the needs of different communities and cultural interests. Under the proposed new three-tier structure for the regulation of broadcasting, ITV licensees will have to comply with targets for regional programming and regional productions.

Television: Local and Regional Programming

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the average weekly time allotted to regional programmes transmitted in each of the 17 television areas for the years, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Baroness Blackstone: The Independent Television Commission is responsible for regulating and monitoring the requirements in the ITV licences for regional programming. The average weekly amount of new and repeat regional programming provided by each of the 16 regional Channel 3 licences for 1998, 1999 and 2000 is:
	
		
			  1998 1999 2000 
			  Licensee Achieved Hrs: Mins Achieved Hrs: Mins Achieved Hrs: Mins 
			 Anglia 10:49 11:29 11:02 
			 Border 5:49 5:54 6:09 
			 Carlton 10:09 9:43 9:47 
			 Central 17:43 17:17 17:39 
			 Channel 6:09 5:45 5:49 
			 Grampian 8:54 10:25 10:36 
			 Granada 9:58 10:11 9:54 
			 HTV Wales 11:46 12:06 12:01 
			 HTV West 11:18 11:23 11:21 
			 LWT 4:03 4:09 3:55 
			 Meridian 16:11 16:30 15:57 
			 Scottish 22:15 22:11 21:24 
			 Tyne Tees 10:36 10:35 10:28 
			 Ulster 14:15 12:56 12:58 
			 Westcountry 12:04 12:12 12:23 
			 Yorkshire 14:52 15:23 14:46 
			  
			 Total 186:51 188:09 186:09 
		
	
	NB. These figures exclude additional sub-regional programmes produced by Anglia, Border, Central, Meridian, Tyne Tees, Westcountry and Yorkshire.